August – a time to take a breather perhaps? Schools out and for some it is holiday time.
As I write I am preparing to take a trip to Portugal for a few days with my daughter and grand daughters which I am very much looking forward to. I like it that usually the pace can be a
little more relaxed in August, church wise, and we can recharge our batteries for the start of the Autumn term. We have just held our final church club before the end of the summer term and it was a lovely opportunity to say goodbye to our older children who will beginning at their new School – The Weald – in September. The school have not been informed of any decision as to the recent consultation so we know that Scott Broadwood will remain on site for the next two terms. Hopefully a decision will be made soon though so everyone can prepare for the future.
Whether the School remains in the village or a mile or so down the road, Scott Broadwood is a terrific place to begin a child’s formal education. Everyone is so caring and wants the best
for the children. We have throughly enjoyed running our weekly afterschool Church Club there and we told we are the most popular club. It has been such a joy to see the children learn and enthuse about the Bible stories they enact each week and to do a craft related to the topic of the day, along with an old-fashioned tea! We look forward to continuing our club next term.

Our newly ordained Revd Gill is enjoying her first weeks in ministry and it is lovely for me to be able to help and support her in her curacy. The ordination service was wonderful at the
Cathedral and when each person’s parish contingency stood up in the congregation, it seems Gill had the most supporters! Fantastic stuff and next year we do it all over again when Gill is
ordained again – this time as a Priest! Then Gill will be able to preside at Holy Communion, give blessings and give the absolution for sins as well as conduct weddings and baptisms!
All very exciting. Something else to look forward to is that as part of the Surrey Weald Team we will be participating in the appointment process for our new Team Rector at Newdigate, following Revd Andrew’s recent retirement. So we are looking forward to welcoming the person who God is calling to our team.

This last month we also had a great weekend at the Capel Military Show raising a good amount of money which will help us to pay our Parish Share – more about that in the Autumn.
We wish to thank the Military Show committee for giving us this annual opportunity. It really is a life saver for us. Now we are gearing ourselves up for the Capel Show where we
will be running a Burger Stall. This was very popular last year so we aim to increase our stock to meet the hungry needs of our wonderful customers. We are always looking for volunteers
so if you have always wanted to help on a burger stall now’s your chance! I hope you have a relaxing summer and can rest a while. Our Lord Jesus invites those who
are weary and burdened to find rest in him. It is about surrendering one’s worries and burdens to Jesus and experiencing his peace and comfort (Matthew 11.28-30).
I pray that you may know his blessing.

With my love and prayers as ever

Liz
Revd.Liz Richardson
vicar@capelandockleychurch.org.uk